Cutting, Raking and Baling Grass

For the last few weeks smallholders, especially those
without livestock, have been dealing with the long grass in their pastures. We
do this as part of our veld management programme in preparation for the fire
season. We will use the grass as winter feed or to make a small income from the
sale of bales.

Cutting with a slasher

So we have been cutting and then hoping for a couple of days
of sunshine, rather than rain, to allow the cuttings to dry out a little. Raking
will also help to allow internal moisture to dry out further. If you haven’t started
yet, there is advice on haymaking in the March edition of the Gauteng Smallholder magazine.

Late afternoon raking

Most of us do not have expensive baling machines, so what do
we do with the grass once it has been cut?

If you will be using it yourself as fodder, bedding or as mulch,
one alternative is to make a classic haystack, preferably under cover, or at
least covered with a tarpaulin, taking off whatever you need throughout the
winter using a pitchfork, and a high-sided trailer for transportation.

But there is a relatively simple solution to baling which is
manageable for a DIY smallholder and that is to make a baling box. Have a look
on the Gauteng Smallholder website
for two examples of plans and instructions on making a box. (Go to

A baling box is a large, sturdy open-topped rectangular wooden
box which will yield a rectangular bale which is looser and larger than a
standard small square bale, but which, if properly done, will weigh 15-20kg ~
about the same as a standard machine-made square bale.

A more compact bale, more closely approximating the size of
a machine bale and yet rendering a bale of similar weight, can be made if you
build a hand baler.

This can be constructed at home out of wood and in its most
sophisticated iteration will have two trolley wheels fitted to facilitate
moving about the field.